Game-board



J. R. DUNCAN.

GAME BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED 0150.3.1917. RENEWED JAN. 6.1920.

2 SHEE1S-SHEET l.

JPQDun can J. R. DUNCAN.

GAME BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 3,1917. RENEWED JAN. 6.19

Pat

2 elfted Aug. 10, 1920. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a u w W Application filed December 3, 1917, Serial No. 205,063.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE.

JAY R. DUNCAN, OF KEWANEE, ILLINOIS.

* To all whom it may concern in turn are subdivided by intersecting lines Be it known that I, JAY R. DUNCAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'lKeWanee, in the county of ,Henry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to game boards and has as its object to provide a game board upon which may be played a game closely simulating the game of base ball as actually played in the field, the primary aim of the invention being to so construct and arrange the board that the game played thereon will embrace practically every 0 "nceivable play which might be made in he actual game in the field and which will embrace substantially all conditions which could be met with in the playing of such a game in the field.

Another aim of the invention is to so construct and arrange the playing surface of the board that the players will be enabled to' ascertain at a glance the results of each play so that the game may be played quickly thereby adding to the excitement and interest attending the playing thereof.

Briefly stated the playing surface of the board embodying the present invention is divided into distinct series of zones which of spaces bearing indicia relative to plays or moves to be made upon the board, the plays being decided by chance as by the drawing of numbered cards in one form of the invention or by theuseof a rotary indicator device in another form of the in vention and the invention contemplates the location withinthe zones of one series of all indicia relating to conditions which would exist with a player at the bat and no men on bases or only one man on a base, the

indicia within the zones of the other series relating to conditions whlch would exist with two men on bases or with the bases 'full; Thus with the useof game pieces representing men which are'pla'ced upon distinct positions upon the playing surface of the boardto indicate the batter and a man or men on bases, a playermay quickly determine what disposition isto be made of his men for if he has no men on bases or 7 but a single man on base he is required only to consult'theindicia in a'line of the indicia bearing s aces within'the zone of the first-mentionec series or if he has two or Specification of Letters Patent.

GAME-BOARD.

Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

more men on bases he has only to consult the corresponding line of spaces in the corresponding zone of the second-mentioned series.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that not all of the spaces into which the zones are divided, bear indicia so that when there is no disposition to be made of a man or game piece this fact is readily made apparent by the presence of a blank space.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure l is a plan view of one form of game board embodying the present invention;

-Fig. 2 is a similar view of one of the numbered cards employed in the playing of the game by the use of this form of game board;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a modified form of board;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the game pieces employed.

It will be understood, of course, that in both embodiments of the invention the board in itself may be made of any suitable material either flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid and either integral throughout or in sections to be assembled or sections foldably connected with each other. It will also be understood that the board may be of any desired dimensions.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the playing surface of the board is ruled with lines to define the zones and spaces therein heretofore mentioned and the adjacent boundary lines of the several zones define narrow intersecting spaces 1 and 2 which serve to separate the zones of the several series so that the zones of the several series may be readily distinguished one from another. Certain of the boundary lines of certain of the zones further define a blank space 3 extending longitudinally from end to end of the said board, this space serving to further separate and distinguish the zones and serving also a further purpose which will be presently explained. One of the series of zones, namely that one in which the spaces within the zones bear indicia relative to plays to be made when there are no men on base or when there is onlyone man on base em- V 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and the other series of zones located at-oneside of the spaces or, inn.

at oneside of the middle of other Words, theboard and. that thezones'i, 8 and 9 are similarly arranged at the other side of the said space '3, the zone 4 beingv opposite the zone 9, the zone.

the zone 6:'-=oppos1te the zonerY; At this pointrit may be remarked that While it is not absolutely essential'to separate the'zones' 4 and 5 from each other, the zones 5 and'6,

the zones 7 and 8 from each other,'and the zones 8 and+9 from each otheryit is preferable that this be 'done through the provision ofthe' blank; spaces -1 so: that a well defined path is provided tion' Which is indicated by the numeral .16 to the first base position indicated by-the numeral 17, and also a pathfrom the second base position, indicated by the numeral 18, tothe third base positionzindicated by the numeral 19. In like manner the; spaces 2 di-vide or separate rthe zones4,: 5, and "'6, respectively, p and therzones 7, :8, and 9,'rrespectively,- from if the zones 13, 14, and 15so that there is also provided a well defined path between the first base and second base positions and between third base and home-plate positions,

thus'completing the representation'of the diamond.

As before stated, 'eachof the zones is 'divided by intersecting lines into spaces bearingv indicia relative "to plays to be unade upon the diamond, and as this feature is common to all of the zonesit'issufiicientto state that the spaces areprovided by parallel lines QO Which extend longitudinally ofeach zoneand parallel lines 9 which extend at right angles 2410 the 'l1nes'20 and intersect the same" at equal intervals.- lVithin the rectan ular spaces" thus formed thereis printed or otherwise inscribed the-indicia above referred to.- It will further be understood that :by thus subdividing. the zones each =zone'has a'plurality of transverse lines Of-"SPZL'CGSlfl-Ild in the particularinstance of thezones of-thefirst-mentioned series,: or;

in" other Words, the zones 4,5, 6,7, 8, and'9,

-therei-are 'f0111"Sp2tC6S in each line. In like manner each of the zones'of theother series,{- oryin' other WOI'ClS," the*zon'es': 10; 11, etc.

comprises a number of lines of spaces, each general arrangementefthe board Tcorresponding: 'lines "of spaces in corresponding 5 opposite the zoneS, ands" v of transverseghnes-of spaces-but it alsoemfrom the home plate posifrom the :zones'10, 11:, and :12,

v fthesbases. linew-conslstmg of: fou-r spaces and 1n the ment. In other Words, for example, in the instance of the zones 4 and 10, the first line i ably designated, numerals 22 are printed upon the face of the board Within the space 3 opposite the said lines-of spaces. For example, the numeral 1 indicates the first line of spaces in each of the zones 4 and 10, the numeral 2 indicates the second or next such 'lines'of spaces. Not onlywmay each zone be considered to embrace-a plurality braces'a plurality of longitudinal lines of spacesorwvhatin thepresent instance'rmight be-'-'eons1dered as columns. Thus in the instance of the-zones 4,5, and 6 each'zone has line of spaces in each ofthese-zones, etc, there be ng in the present instance seventy four;;columns of spaces" and corresponding 7 columns in the severa-l=zones 4, 5, and 6 are in :vertical' 'orlongitudinal alinement *upon the board. .This-alsmholds true, o'f conrse, of the-zones 7, 8, and 9,"the"zones"10, 11, and 12,andathe zones 13', 14, and 15. For convenience in describing the: invention, the

, severalzcolumns of -spaces in the zones 4, 5,

and {Sand the zones 7 8, and 9-are indi- .cated'in .OIdGP'fIOIIIrtl'IOSG nearest the space 3, respectively -by the numerals-23, 24:, 25,

and26 and=each-column23 bears preferably at the: outer endsrrof thezones 4 and 6 and the outer-ends ef-thezones and 9,"a-desig nation such as the word Batter. In like manner the columns 24, :25, and 26 are :respectively designated" as, r for example, Y by the legends 31st,? 2nd, and f3rd; The" numerals 27 28 29,-and 30'-indicate-,-respectively, thelirstasecond,third, and fourth columns of spacesin: the "zones :10, 11, 1 and 12' andfin: th'e z0nes-13', 14,'and-'15 and these columns. asin the'instauceof the columns 23:,'24', 25,-and 26--are designated, respectively, by the legends-First and second,

Fir'stand-third', Second and third, and

' Ba'ses fulli It. Will be understood from the foregoing that allof-th'espaces in the columns 23 bear indicia-indicating the results of a 'batters play that all spaces in the columns24 relate I tomoves bya player on-first base that all- "spaces in the-columns 25 relate to the movements ofa man- 'on :second; and; that all spaces "-inthe rcolumnsw26 relate to move-- ments of a m'anon thirds -However, not alll of.thespaces intlre columns 24."25, anrl 26 1 will 'bepresumably no action :on the part'of; the players: occupying onenor another of It will further be understood bearindiciafor under some conditions there thatthe spaees':in; the columns 27-relate to plays to be madeavhen there "are'players or men upon both first and second bases; that the spaces in the (30111111113q28g1fi12lll6 to. plays to be made when there are men upon first and third bases; that the spaces in the columns 29 relate to plays to be made when there are men on second and third bases; and, that the spaces in the columns 30 relate to plays to be made when the bases are full. As

1n the instance of the columns 24, 25, and 26, all ofthe spaces of the columns 27, 28, 29, and 30 bear indicia.

In order that the different plays may be determined by chance, there are provided in connection with the game board just described, a number of cards, in the present instance seventy, one of which cards is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and indicated by the numeral 31. These cards are numbered from 1 to 7 0, each bearing a separate number as indicated by the numeral 32. There are also provided a number of game pieces 33 preferably in the nature of wooden disks such as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In the playing of the game, the player whose move it is will place one of his game pieces 33, representing a batter upon the home plate position 16. The cards 31 having been previously thoroughly shuffled and placed in a pile, face downward upon the table, the player selects one of the cards and notes the number borne thereby. If, for example, the card drawn bears the number 20, the player moves his game piece from home plate position to first base inasmuch as the first space in the horizontal line of spaces opposite the number 20 upon the playing surface of the board bears the legend 1 base hit. He then places another one of his game pieces upon the home plate position and again draws from the shuffled pack of cards. If, for example, he this time draws the card bearing the number 26 the play indicated is that 'the batter has one strike against him and that the player which was on first, in attempting to reach second, has been put out whereupon he removes the first-mentioned game piece from the board. As before stated, the columns 27, 28, 29, and 30 relate to plays which take place when two or more men are on bases and from the foregoing brief example given it is thought that the manner of playing the game under all conditions will be clear.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the arrangement of the zones is based on a circular instead of on a rectangular board as in the previously described form, although the principle remains the same and it is thought that it will suffice to say, with regard to this modified form, that the zones indicated by the numeral 34 correspond to the zones 4 to 9 inclusive in the previously described form, and that the zones indicated by the numeral 35 correspond to the other zones in the previously described form, the zones being divided into the spaces which bear the indicia,

by radial and concentric intersecting lines as distinguished from the longitudinal and transverse lines 20 and 21 in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Also in this modified form the plays are determined by chance through the use of a rotary indicator of any suitable type indicated by the numeral 36 which indicator may be spun in the well-known manner and permitted to come to rest with its pointed end registering with one or another of the spaces in which the zones 34 are divided, or, in other words, to position opposite one or another of the radial lines of spaces which lines correspond to the numbered transverse lines of spaces at 22 in the previously described form of the invention.

It will be understood that either form of the game illustrated in the drawings may be folded or rolled to compact form and that when the game board is folded the fold line will extend between the spaces which divide the series of zones so that the folding of the board or sheet will not obliterate any of the legends indicating plays or moves to be made.

By reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be observed that the end of the indicator 36 has one side of a distinguishing color as indicated by the numeral 37 so that when the extremity of the pointer comes to rest in registration with one of the radial lines dividing the zones, that space at that side of the line corresponding to the side at whiclrthe color side 37 of the pointer is located will be consulted in determining the play to be made, thus avoiding disputes.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedas new is:

1. A game board, for use in the playing of a game simulating an actual field game, having its playing surface divided into distinct series of zones, each zone of each series being subdivided by intersecting lines into spaces certain of which bear indicia relative to plays to be made upon the board, the indicia within the zones of one series relating to conditions different from those to which the indicia within the zones of another series relates.

2. A game board, for use in the playing of a game simulating an actual field game, having its playing surface divided into distinct series of zones, each zone of each series being subdivided by intersecting lines into lines and columns of spaces, certain of which bear indicia relative to plays to be made upon the board, the lines of spaces being indicated by numbers and the zones of the two series being so arranged that corresponding lines of spaces in corresponding zones of the two series will be in alinement.

3. A game board, for use in the playing of a game simulating an actual field game, having its playing surface divided into disranged in lines and "columns,

' umns become tinct series of zones, each zone of. eachseries made upon the board, the spaces being arspaces being designated by numbers, and the columns "of spaces being designated to indicate conditions under, -'Wl1l0l1 moves in-. dicated in the spaces in-the respective colavailable. I

*4. A gameboard, for use in the playing of a game simulating an actual field game, having its playing surface divided into distinct series of zones, each zone of each series being subdivided by intersecting lines into lines and columns of spaces, the board having game piece positions indicated thereon the lines of 1 at intersections of the divisions between the zones of the several series, the lines of spaces beingdesignated by numbers, the columns ofspaces of one series being designated to indicate the conditions under Which the moves designated by the indicia in the tions under Whichplays designatedby the indicia in the spaces of the said columns become available.

In testimony .Whereof I affix my signature.

JAY-R. DUNCAN. 

